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In a conversation with PEOPLE, pediatricianDr. Jaime Friedmanexplains why she thinks it’s so important for parents to educate themselves on common (but often, overlooked) choking hazards for children — and to make sure to never take shortcuts when it comes to preparing their kids’ food.
“Parents are surprised when they come in for their child’s three-year check up and I still mention choking risks like grapes and popcorn. Most parents aren’t aware that we worry about choking up until age 4,” she said. “They seem pretty resistant to cutting grapes for their 3-year-olds.”
So what does Dr. Friedman want parents to be aware of when it comes to choking hazards? First of all, the rule of thumb actually does apply to food items: Everything should be cut smaller than a thumb’s width before it’s served to children. “Anything that is the size of the airway (thumb size)that is solid or unforgiving is a choking risk,” she says.
And sticky foods, including peanut butter and marshmallows, are just as dangerous; for parents introducing peanut butter to an infant, “I always counsel on watering it down so that it doesn’t cause choking,” Dr. Friedman adds.
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For items like “chunks of meat, cheese and raw vegetables,”all of which the AAP identifies as a risk, Dr. Friedman suggests string cheese, meat cut into ½-inch pieces and vegetables cut lengthwise into long, thin strips, once the child has teeth and can appropriately chew the food.
Other surprising choking risks? Pen caps, marbles, magnets and buttons, as well as balloons, which Dr. Friedman says were a no-go in her house when her own children were small. “We didn’t really play with balloons and I don’t give them out in the office. I know dentists give them out so parents have to use caution, especially once they get in the carwith a child who has a balloon,” she says.
For other non-food risks, “I recommend parents get on the floor and look in couch cushions for coins, batteries and small items that have dropped. I also [advise] against beaded jewelry like amber necklaces,” says Dr. Friedman.
Child eating from a bowl.Getty
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Dr. Friedman recommends requiring proper training for anyone who might care for your child: “All caregivers should have at least oneclass on infant CPR andchoking care. They should have children sit for meals and snacks — no running around.”
And if the worst-case scenario should happen? “Never perform a blind sweep in the mouth if they are choking, as they may push items further into the trachea,” she says. “If the child is not breathing, call 911 and start rescue breaths. If the child is drooling or can’t swallow, keep them calm; a child in distress can block their airway further. If there is any question about a swallowed or aspirated item, X-rays can be helpful, so have the child seen.”
What foods are the biggest choking hazards?Hot dogsHard/sticky candyNutsMeatGrapesCherry tomatoesCookies/biscuitsCarrotsApplesPopcornPeanut butterChunks of meat or cheeseChunks of raw vegetables
source: people.com
